肉牛溶血性大肠埃希菌分离鉴定和毒力与耐药基因检测及药敏试验

为了解肉牛溶血性大肠埃希菌毒力基因和耐药基因分布情况及药物敏感性,从河北省围场县采集的健康肉牛鼻腔棉拭子中分离鉴定溶血性大肠埃希菌,采用PCR检测大肠埃希菌的4个毒力基因和12个耐药基因,并采用K-B法进行药敏试验。结果表明,从116份健康的肉牛鼻腔中分离鉴定出23株溶血性大肠埃希菌,分离率为19.8%;毒力基因检测结果显示,6株菌同时携带LEE(Ler、eaeA)毒力基因,携带率26.1%,18株同时携带高致病性毒力基因HPIirp2、fyuA,携带率78.3%,6株同时携带LEE和HPI毒力基因,携带率为26.1%;耐药基因检测结果显示,blaTEM、aadA1耐药基因的携带率最高,为100%;药敏试验结果显示,23株溶血性大肠埃希菌对头孢氨苄、复方新诺明、磺胺间甲氧嘧啶耐药。结果表明,溶血性大肠埃希菌普遍存在于健康肉牛鼻腔中,HPI毒力基因和β-内酰胺类和耐链霉素类耐药基因携带率高。对河北省围场县肉牛溶血性大肠埃希菌毒力基因和耐药基因进行了研究,并进行药物敏感性分析,结果提示溶血性大肠埃希菌对肉牛养殖存在潜在威胁。     

树鼩源大肠埃希氏菌耐药性分析与毒力因子鉴定

为了解树鼩源大肠埃希氏菌遗传进化同源性、对药物的敏感性以及所携带的毒力因子种类等,对广西南宁某大学人工驯化养殖的10只树鼩肠道内容物进行大肠埃希氏菌的分离纯化、生化分析及药敏试验等,并应用PCR技术对菌株进行16S rRNA同源性分析、毒力基因及耐药基因的检测。10份树鼩肠道内容物经分离纯化共分离出9株大肠埃希氏菌。同源性分析表明分离株与鸡源、猪源、人源大肠埃希氏菌之间的亲缘性较近,存在跨种间传播风险。药敏试验表明,分离株对苯唑西林耐药率为88.8%,对氨苄西林耐药率77.8%,对四环素、多西环素耐药率均为44.4%,对头孢哌酮、头孢他啶、卡那霉素、庆大霉素等表现为高度或中度敏感。共扩增出4种耐药基因,分别为四环素类耐药基因tetA、tetB,检出率均为100%,β-内酰胺类耐药基因TEM检出率为100%,CTX-M检出率为44.4%。毒力因子仅检测出eaeA基因,检出率为100%。表明分离株与其他动物源性大肠埃希氏菌亲缘性较近,具有一定耐药性,并携带毒力基因,存在一定的致病风险。     

奶牛犊牛腹泻源大肠埃希氏菌耐药情况及LEE相关基因的检测

为了明确宁夏地区奶牛犊牛腹泻源性大肠埃希氏菌的分离率、耐药情况和LEE毒力岛eaeA和ler基因的携带情况,采集宁夏5市16个规模化奶牛场1～2月龄犊牛病理性腹泻样本157份,采用微生物学方法培养、VITEK 2 Compact生化鉴定和PCR鉴定,应用PCR方法进行分离株LEE相关基因检测。结果分离鉴定到大肠埃希氏菌62株,对四环素耐药率为100%,对阿莫西林、氟苯尼考、哌拉西林等9种药物的耐药率大于90.00%,对阿米卡星较为敏感,耐药率为11.29%;LEE毒力岛eaeA基因的检出率为11.29%(7/62),ler基因的检出率为79.03%(49/62),二者同时检出率为3.23%(2/62)。结果表明,LEE的存在,可能是某些奶牛场犊牛腹泻大肠埃希氏菌病的原因之一,建议临床治疗犊牛腹泻大肠埃希氏菌病可以首选阿米卡星。     

昆明动物园孔雀源大肠埃希菌毒力基因及耐药基因检测

为研究孔雀源大肠埃希菌毒力基因和耐药基因的流行特征,从昆明动物园采集孔雀粪样,从中分离鉴定大肠埃希菌,并对12种毒力基因及22种耐药基因进行检测。结果表明,从孔雀粪样中共分离鉴定出38株大肠埃希菌,分离菌traT基因携带率为100%;tsh基因携带率最低,为2.63%。未检出氨基糖苷类药物的耐药基因aac(3)-Ia、β-内酰胺类药物的耐药基因OXA、SHV,其余耐药基因均呈阳性,其中磺胺类耐药基因阳性率为7.89%~34.21%,四环素耐药基因阳性率为50%~57.89%,氨基糖苷类耐药基因阳性率为10.53%~50%,氯霉素类耐药基因阳性率为42.11%~71.05%,β-内酰胺类耐药基因阳性率为42.11%~63.16%,喹诺酮类耐药基因阳性率为13.16%~68.42%。研究结果可为孔雀大肠杆菌病的预防提供理论支持和实践借鉴。     

育肥牛场致病性大肠埃希菌及沙门菌的分离鉴定

采用常规肠道杆菌分离技术,对青海省湟中县某育肥牛场的60份和互助县某育肥牛场的14份粪样及环境样品进行致病性大肠埃希菌和沙门菌的分离与鉴定,结果显示湟中县某育肥牛场致病性大肠埃希菌检出率为6.7％,沙门菌检出率为15.0％;互助县某育肥牛场粪样致病性大肠埃希菌检出率为21.4％,沙门菌检出率为7.1％.药敏试验结果显示...     

蛋源大肠埃希菌的分离鉴定及毒力基因和耐药基因检测

为了调查鸡蛋中大肠埃希菌的感染情况,为生产实践提供参考,从昆明市区鸡蛋中分离出了3株大肠埃希菌,并对其毒力基因、耐药基因、动物致病性及药物敏感性进行了研究。结果表明,菌株KM1携带的毒力基因检出率75%,耐药基因检出率77.3%;菌株KM2携带的毒力基因和耐药基因检出率居中;菌株KM3毒力基因检出率91.7%,耐药性基因检出率50%。动物毒力检测结果 KM1为不致病菌株,KM2为低致病菌株,KM3为中度致病菌株。药敏试验结果显示,分离菌株对头孢噻肟、头孢曲松钠敏感,对庆大霉素、氨苄西林等具有不同程度的耐药性。中草药对3株大肠埃希菌的抑制效果各有所不同,相比之下连翘与松针的效果较好。本试验为研究昆明市区鸡蛋中大肠埃希菌污染与防控提供了理论依据。     

牦牛隐性乳房炎主要病原菌及耐药和毒力基因分布情况

为探明牦牛隐性乳房炎(SCM)主要病原菌及其耐药和毒力基因的分布情况,本研究自甘肃省甘南州夏季牧场收集无乳房炎临床症状牦牛乳样,通过兰州乳房炎试验(LMT)筛选SCM乳样,从中分离病原菌并纯化培养,利用16S rDNA鉴定主要病原菌,通过纸片扩散法判定其药物敏感性,并采用PCR方法对相关耐药及毒力基因进行检测。结果显示,共筛选出牦牛SCM乳样324份,检出率14.43%;主要病原菌为葡萄球菌属、埃希氏菌属和肠球菌属,其中葡萄球菌分离株对青霉素和四环素耐药率最高,分别为59.57%和47.52%;大肠埃希氏菌分离株对四环素和氨苄西林耐药率最高,分别为43.40%和20.75%;粪肠球菌分离株对四环素和红霉素耐药率最高,分别为25.00%和16.67%;59株耐青霉素金黄色葡萄球菌中共检出MRSA 12株,其中7株携带mecA基因,5株含mecC基因;四环素外排泵基因tetK、tetA携带率最高(85.45%、56.36%),核糖体保护基因tetM携带率最低(34.55%);毒力基因中,clfA、clfB、fib、coa基因检出率较高(87.64%、84.27%、83.15%、82.02%)。研究表明,牦牛SCM的主要病原菌为金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希氏菌,均对青霉素类和四环素类抗生素耐药性较高,其中金黄色葡萄球菌的主要毒力因子为黏附因子和凝固酶。     

肠出血性大肠埃希菌O157:H7多重PCR检测方法的建立

为建立肠出血性大肠埃希菌O157:H7的多重PCR检测方法,针对O157菌特异性eaeA基因、fliC基因、志贺毒素基因(stx1和stx2)及rfbE基因设计5对引物,构建多重PCR反应体系,优化反应的引物浓度和温度检测其特异性和敏感性,并对牛、猪、鸡及犬等不同动物来源的样品进行了大肠埃希菌O157检测。结果显示,该方法具有良好的特异性和敏感性,敏感性达到5×10~3CFU。从检测阳性样本中均分离到目的菌。应用建立的方法在确定样品中是否含有大肠埃希菌O157的同时,还能对菌株毒力进行初步判定。成功建立了肠出血性大肠埃希菌O157:H7多重PCR检测方法,为该病原菌感染的预防和监测提供了简便、快速的技术手段,具有良好的应用前景。     

屠宰场分离大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7药敏试验及耐药基因分析

为了解2018年-2019年从广东省内生猪屠宰场分离的19株大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7耐药情况,采用微量肉汤稀释法测定阿莫西林等16种抗菌药物对分离菌株的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),并用普通PCR法检测blaNDM-1等10种耐药基因。结果表明,19株大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7分离菌株对不同抗生素存在耐药差异,其中对阿莫西林、氨苄西林、青霉素、氯霉素和恩诺沙星的耐药率均为100%,对头孢哌酮的耐药率最低为5.26%,其余10种抗菌药物的耐药率位于31.58%～84.21%之间;mcr-1、tetM、floR和rmtB 4种耐药基因未检出,blaNDM-1等6种耐药基因检出率范围为5.26%～89.47%。生猪屠宰场大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7耐药且多重耐药严重,分离株携带丰富的耐药基因。     

上海市动物及其产品中大肠埃希菌O157:H7带菌情况的调查

为了解上海市动物及动物产品中大肠埃希菌O 157∶H 7带菌情况及其毒力采集上海市猪、牛等动物粪便以及市场和超市猪肉、牛肉、牛奶、虾仁等样本568 份,应用免疫胶体金技术、分离培养、形态特征观察生化特性鉴定、血清学试验、多重引物PCR进行大肠埃希菌O 157∶H 7的分离、鉴定及毒力基因分析。结果表明,上海市动物及动物产品中存在大肠埃希菌O 157∶H 7,检出率为2.05%。其中牛粪、猪粪中检出率较高,分别为9.76%和8.57%。     

某定点肉牛屠宰场中非O157致病性STEC的分离鉴定

为了了解新疆伊犁地区肉牛屠宰过程中大肠杆菌的污染情况，检测非O157致病性产志贺毒素大肠杆菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli，STEC）的感染情况，本试验采集新疆伊犁地区某定点肉牛屠宰场中屠宰肉牛的粪样和屠宰后的胴体表面拭子，并对样品进行了大肠杆菌的分离鉴定、毒力基因（eae、stx1、stx2）的PCR检测、O157鉴定（rfbE）、ERIC-PCR基因分型和小鼠致病性试验。结果显示，在采集的45份样品中分离鉴定出42株大肠杆菌，分离率为93.3%。其中2株菌株同时编码了毒力基因stx1和stx2，检出率为4.8%，毒力基因eae未被检出。PCR鉴定均为非O157 STEC。ERIC-PCR基因分型检测发现，2株菌的基因型非常相似，同源关系密切。对小鼠进行腹腔注射攻毒，攻菌6 h后，小鼠开始出现死亡，立即解剖死亡小鼠发现，其肠道出血，肝脏、脾脏、肾脏明显出血肿大，解剖对照小鼠表现正常，表明菌株具有一定的致病性。综上所述，在肉牛屠宰过程中存在大肠杆菌污染，其中粪便中非O157 STEC菌株对胴体造成了污染，需要加强控制肉牛的屠宰加工关键环节的环境卫生。     

Study on Seasonal Impact to the Distribution of Bovine E.coli O157: H7 in Xinjiang

To study the impact of season to the distribution of bovine E.coli O157:H7,samples of anus swabs (399),feces (68),water (29) and feed (43) were collected in the spring, summer,autumn and winter from A,B and C farms of Xinjiang. After enrichment by EC broth, SMAC and MUG selective culture were then performed. Finally,PCR was used for identification and virulence gene detection of isolated strains. A total of 5 E.coli O157:H7 strains were isolated from 539 samples from three farms (0.93%,5/539), 2 of them were from spring (1.44%,2/139),1 from autumn(0.56%,1/180),2 from winter (1.38%,2/145) and no strains were isolated from summer samples. One strain were isolated from anus swab samples in farm B (0.69%,1/145) and one were isolated from anus swabs (0.66%,1/152) and three strains were isolated from feed samples in farm C (20.00%,3/15),and no target strains were isolated from water samples. The distribution of bovine E. coli O157:H7 had obvious seasonal characteristics.One E.coli O157:H7 strain of farm B was isolated from autumn and four of farm C were from isolated spring (2 strain) and winter (2 strain),and the isolation rate of E. coli O157:H7 in spring and winter were higher than that in summer and autumn. In conclusion,under the special climate characteristics and feeding mode in Xinjiang,to prevent and control the spreading of E. coli O157:H7 of cattle,we must pay great attention on hygiene management of pens at cold season, specially avoiding the feed contaminated by feces.     

辽宁地区奶牛乳房炎源大肠杆菌毒力基因及耐药基因检测分析

为了掌握辽宁地区规模奶牛场乳房炎源大肠杆菌携带的毒力基因和耐药基因,为奶牛养殖业提供更好的乳房炎防制方案,本研究采用PCR检测方法对辽宁地区多个规模奶牛场临床奶牛乳房炎奶样中分离的66株大肠杆菌进行了4种毒力基因和4种耐药基因的检测分析。结果发现,66株大肠杆菌中仅有1株未检出相关目的基因,其余65株中最少检出2种目的基因,最多检出7种目的基因。其中,毒力基因stx2e、eaeA、K99和astA的检出率分别为56.1%、47.0%、34.8%和31.8%,双重毒力基因的检出率达到43.9%,以eaeA/stx2e基因型的检出率最高;耐药基因sul3、sul1、cmlA及aacA4的检出率分别为87.9%、83.3%、40.9%和28.8%,双重耐药基因的检出率为36.4%,以sul1/sul3基因型检出率最高;三重耐药基因的检出率为37.9%,以cmlA/sul1/sul3检出率最高。本研究结果证实,辽宁地区奶牛乳房炎源大肠杆菌携带磺胺类耐药基因和氯霉素类耐药基因的比率较高,与大肠杆菌的耐药性有较直接的关系,该结果对于辽宁地区奶牛乳房炎的防制具有重要的指导意义,更具有重要的公共卫生意义。     

Detection and Analysis of Virulence Genes and Drug Resistance Genes in E. coli Strains Isolated from Dairy Cows with Clinical Mastitis in Liaoning Region

In order to understand the virulence genes and drug resistance genes carried by E.coli strains from dairy cows with mastitis in large-scale dairy farms in Liaoning region, and also provide improved programs for control and treatment of mastitis to dairy farmers, 66 strains of E.coli isolated from milk of dairy cows with clinical mastitis in several large-scale farms in Liaoning region were examined to detect 4 virulence genes and 4 drug resistance genes using PCR methods. The results showed that none of the target genes was detected in only one strain, while at least 2 and up to 7 target genes were detected in the rest of 65 strains. The detection rates of the virulence genes stx2e, eaeA, K99 and astA were 56.1%, 47.0%, 34.8% and 31.8%, respectively. In addition, the detection rate of dual virulence gene reached 43.9%, in which the genotype with the highest detection rate was eaeA/stx2e. The detection rates of the drug resistance genes sul3, sul1, cmlA and aacA4 were 87.9%, 83.3%, 40.9% and 28.8%, respectively. And the dual resistance gene detection rate was 36.4%, in which the highest detection rate was sul1/sul3 genotype; Triple drug resistance gene detection rate was 37.9%, and cmlA/sul1/sul3 presented the highest detection rate. These results confirmed that the E.coli isolated from dairy cow mastitis in large-scale dairy farms in Liaoning region had high detecting rates of sulfonamide resistance genes and chloramphenicol resistance genes, which was directly related to the drug resistance of the E.coli. These results provided important guiding significance for the prevention and control of dairy cow mastitis in Liaoning region as well as the safety of public health.     

河西走廊地区犊牛腹泻致病性大肠杆菌分离鉴定、毒力因子及耐药性检测

[目的]为了分析河西走廊地区犊牛腹泻致病性大肠杆菌携带毒力基因和耐药性情况,[方法]2020—2021年在河西走廊地区采集患腹泻病犊牛的粪便、肛拭子及肝脏等病料组织279份,采用人工感染试验动物、PCR方法和K-B药敏纸片法分别检测犊牛腹泻性大肠杆菌致病性、毒力因子和耐药性。[结果]结果表明,分离得到了126株大肠杆菌,其中79株犊牛腹泻性大肠杆菌能引起小鼠死亡;分离的79株致病性大肠杆菌的毒力基因crl、irp2、fimH、papC、K88、K99、stx1、stx2检测率在40.5%～100%之间,其他毒力基因检测率在15.2%～34.2%之间;分离的79株致病性大肠杆菌对氨苄西林、阿莫西林、新霉素等8种药物的耐药率在49.4%～96.2%之间,对其他药物的耐药率在5.1%～32.9%之间。[结论]从河西走廊地区患腹泻病犊牛病料组织中分离得到79株致病性大肠杆菌,这些菌株携带多种毒力基因,对临床中常用的抗菌药物产生了耐药性。     

牛源大肠杆菌O157：H7的分离及毒力基因鉴定

从2个牛场采集新鲜粪便,增菌后,免疫磁珠富集,涂布筛选性培养基,挑取可疑菌落用rfbE/fliC二重PCR和血清学方法鉴定。设计毒力基因stx1、stx2、eae、hlyA和tccp相应引物,针对O157：H7对分离株进行PCR鉴定。口服攻毒链霉素处理的BALB/c小鼠明确分离株致病性。结果显示,成功分离到7株出血性大肠杆菌O157：H7,并且有1株迟缓性发酵山梨醇麦康凯培养基。毒力基因检测显示,其中6株毒力因子表型为stx1-stx2＋eae＋hlyA＋tccp＋,另有1株表现型为stx1＋stx2＋eae＋hlyA＋tccp＋,各分离株tccp基因均为阳性,但携带的重复片段数量有差异。所采集样品中肠出血性大肠杆菌O157：H7的检出率高达12%。1×1010 CFU同剂量口服接种经PBS洗涤的5株O157：H7分离株全菌,小鼠存活率有差异分别为40%,50%,60%,20%,50%,各分离株在小鼠体内排菌时间也有差异分别为攻毒后7,9,13,13,15d。     

High occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in healthy cattle in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

In order to evaluate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, 197 fecal samples of healthy cattle from 10 dairy farms, four beef farms and one slaughterhouse at Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were examined for Shiga toxin (Stx) gene sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For presumptive isolation of O157:H7 E. coli, the Cefixime-potassium tellurite-sorbitol MacConkey Agar (CT-SMAC) was used. A high occurrence (71%) of Stx was detected, and was more frequently found among dairy cattle (82% vs. 53% in beef cattle), in which no differences were observed regarding the age of the animals. Dot blot hybridization with stx1 and stx2 probes revealed that the predominant STEC type was one that had the genes for both stx1 and stx2 in dairy cattle and one that had only the stx1 gene for beef cattle. Three (1.5%) O157:H7 E. coli strains were isolated from one beef and two dairy animals by the use of CT-SMAC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of O157:H7 isolation in Brazil. A PCR-based STEC detection protocol led to the isolation of STEC in 12 of 16 randomly selected PCR-positive stool samples. A total of 15 STEC strains belonging to 11 serotypes were isolated, and most of them (60%) had both stx1 and stx2 gene sequences. Cytotoxicity assays with HeLa and Vero cells revealed that all strains except two of serotype O157:H7 expressed Stx. The data point to the high prevalence of STEC in our environment and suggest the need for good control strategies for the prevention of contamination of animal products.     

Longitudinal prevalence study of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in dairy calves

A longitudinal study (cohort study) elaborating 1,224 rectal swabs from 221 calves aging between 1 and 12 weeks was conducted on 11 dairy farms (i) to ascertain associations between diarrhea and shedding of diarrheagenic E. coli and (ii) to facilitate the zoonotic potential assessment of E. coli strains shed by young calves. Calves were screened weekly by PCR of swab cultures for shedding of enterotoxigenic E coli [ETEC; by detection of heat stable (est) and heat labile enterotoxin genes (elt)], diffusely adhering E. coli [DAEC; diffuse adhesion (daa)], typical enteropathogenic E. coli [EPEC; bundle-forming pili (bfpA) and intimin (eae)] as well as enterohemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC, intimin (eae) and Shiga toxin (stx)]. In addition, EHEC-hemolysin- (Hly(EHEC)) and alpha-hemolysin- (alpha-Hly) producing E. coli were detected by inoculation of blood agar plates. Within the 221 calves, prevalences were 69.7% (25.2% of the 1,224 samples) for Hly(EHEC)-producing E. coli, 55.3% (19.3%) for eae, and 18.2% (4.5%) for stx. E. coli strains exhibiting an alpha-Hly phenotype were detected in 66.5% of the calves and 21.9% of fecal samples. The est gene was detectable in 31.7% of the calves from only 9 of 11 herds and in 7.8% of the samples. Calves shedding DAEC or typical EPEC were not identified. The detection frequency of virulence traits significantly depended on the calves' age and shedding dynamics differed between the traits. A significant correlation between calf diarrhea and shedding of EHEC virulence traits was determined for several postnatal periods (1 week: Hly(EHEC); 1st & 10th week: eae; 4th week stx). Shedding of ETEC (est) was associated with diarrhea in newborn calves (1st week) only. Hly(EHEC)- and alpha-Hly-producing E. coli were shed significantly more frequently by diarrheic calves in 1st and 8th week of life, respectively. The knowledge gained in this study highlights the high prevalence of zoonotic E. coli already in calves.The age-dependent shedding dynamic of the various E. coli pathovars has to be considered regarding prophylaxis as well as planning intervention studies, both for calves and humans.     

仔猪腹泻致病性大肠杆菌分型鉴定及耐药性分析

为了解贵州省规模化养猪场腹泻仔猪致病性大肠杆菌流行情况及耐药性变化,本研究运用凝集试验、PCR和药敏纸片琼脂扩散法等方法对分离的78株致病性大肠杆菌进行血清型、毒力基因及耐药性分析。结果显示,78株致病性大肠杆菌以O138、O87血清型为主,占定型菌株的60.8%;其中62株致病性大肠杆菌检出毒力基因,检出率为79.5%,可分为8种毒力基因类型,分属肠致病性大肠杆菌（EPEC）、肠产毒性大肠杆菌（ETEC）和肠聚集性大肠杆菌（EAEC）,毒力基因eaeA、elt和escV检出率较高,分别为38.5%、28.2%和21.8%;分离到的致病性大肠杆菌对β-内酰胺类药物高度耐药,均为多重耐药株,耐药种类可达8种以上。结果表明,当前贵州省规模化养猪场腹泻仔猪致病性大肠杆菌的毒力基因检出率较高且基因型复杂,耐药性严重。本试验结果可为规模化养猪场防控仔猪腹泻提供基础资料及理论依据。     

Detection of Escherichia coli Shiga toxin (stx) and enterotoxin (estA and elt) genes in fecal samples from non-diarrheic and diarrheic greyhounds

Virulence factors responsible for acute diarrhea in greyhounds have not been well established. The objective of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between disease and the presence of the Escherichia coli toxin genes in non-diarrheic and diarrheic greyhound feces. DNA extracted from broth cultures was evaluated for the presence of Shiga toxin and enterotoxin genes and broth samples were evaluated for Shiga toxin and heat-labile enterotoxin. Shiga toxin (stx1 and stx2) and enterotoxin (et and estA) genes were identified in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic samples after in vitro cultured of swabs at 37 degrees C for 16-24h. The stx1 gene was present in 3% of non-diarrheic and 15% diarrheic samples and the stx2 gene was identified in 36 and 23%, non-diarrheic and diarrheic samples, respectively. Shiga toxin was present in 48% diarrheic and 25% of the non-diarrheic in vitro cultured samples. The elt gene was detected in vitro cultured swabs in 12% of the non-diarrheic and 7% of the diarrheic samples. Labile toxin was present in the feces of small numbers of both groups of dogs. A significant correlation existed between the presence of both stx1 genes and Shiga toxin in feces, and lack of disease in non-diarrheic (P=0.01) and presence of disease in diarrheic (P=0.024) greyhounds. Correlation between production of Shiga toxin and detection of stx1 or stx2 was significant in both the diarrheic and non-diarrheic feces (P=0.03); however, only the presence of stx1 correlated with diarrhea in both groups of samples (P<0.008). The incidence of toxigenic E. coli in both non-diarrheic and diarrheic greyhounds indicates a zoonotic potential from dogs to humans and requires further study.